Proforma Safety Blog

Is Your Organization at Risk Due to Its “Grey” Fleet?

Posted by proforma on April 15, 2010  |  No Comments

Using employee-owned vehicles for company business is a growing trend, says a recent article co-authored by Aon Global Risk Consulting and Risk & Insurance® magazine. This “hidden or grey” fleet presents liability exposure to the organization, although many do not realize this to be the case. Because of increased costs, many organizations no longer offer company-owned vehicles to employees. Unfortunately, even though employee vehicles are not owned by the company, if an accident occurs, the employee’s automobile liability policy only offers the first line of coverage of $300,000 or less. If damages exceed this level, then the organization’s policy would be involved. Successful management of the risks associated with this ”hidden fleet” risk involves identifying routine drivers and establishing safety processes similar to those for company vehicle operators. Setting mandatory road safety standards is the first step, and may include requirements to drive rested and alert, wear mobile phones or other electronic devices, attend accredited defensive driving courses, employ vehicle monitoring and data recording systems and keep vehicles well maintained.  The full article, “World Class Fleet Safety,” is available on the Risk and Insurance website.  A white paper “World Class Fleet Safety Process,” is available at http://www.aon.com.

Safety Alert for Spring Return Valves

Posted by proforma on April 6, 2010  |  No Comments

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has just issued a safety alert for spring return valves used in offshore oil operations. Recently, a pipeline emergency shut down valve (ESDV) failed, leaving the primary platform isolation device inoperable with the valve in the open position.
Other ESDVs have been found to be at risk for similar failures, as are spring return valves other than ESDVs.

Poor Job Planning Could Have Resulted in a Welding Disaster

Posted by proforma on April 6, 2010  |  No Comments

In light of the recent catastrophic event at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, WA, it’s important to review all safety procedures with all personnel. This narrowly avoided incident serves as yet another warning to follow proper Permit to Work (PTW) procedures.

The job involved welding of the tank and piping of a rig accumulator supply tank.  The welder was unaware that the tank had not been purged nor cleaned, and the lid was closed and secured.  A passing rig site senior mechanic spotted the welder and realized the explosive atmosphere that existed. He immediately called a stop to the operation.

The situation was compounded by the fact that no pre-job safety check off list had been completed. There was not a well defined fire watch, as the designated person was involved in other duties at the time and no replacement identified. A fire extinguisher or pressurized water hose was not within the working vicinity as required by policy and the Permit to Work procedure. And although a PTW document had been issued, the appropriate personnel were not involved. The document had been incorrectly filled out and many details were not followed as required.

Standardized, Fleet-wide Hand Signals Help Avoid Miscommunication

Posted by proforma on April 6, 2010  |  No Comments

Here’s another instance where miscommunication resulted in a dangerous workplace situation: A floorman signals a crewman using hand signals different from what the crewman was accustomed to. Instead of opening the valves to fill the trip tank, the crewman disengaged the auxiliary brake handle; the drawworks brakes overheated,  the driller could not stop the blocks, which then ran into the top drive rail stops. Among the causes cited were the lack of standardized hand signals and understanding of the rig operation and systems.